Three points clear of France at the top of the table, Mark Mapletoft’s squad are on the cusp of age-grade Grand Slam glory for the first time since 2021.
The defending age-grade Six Nations and World Rugby Championship holders have retained the still-underage Josh Bellamy, Jack Bracken, Ben Coen, Kane James and George Timmins while also appointing Dave Walder, the ex-Newcastle boss, as an assistant.
Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Steve Diamond is stunned his 18-year-old scrum-half Joe Davis has not been included in England's U20 elite player squad.
It was last March when the class of 2023/24 clinched the championship with a win away in France and they followed up that success by securing World Cup glory in July in South Africa.
Former Tonga international Soane Tonga’uiha spent seven seasons at Franklin’s Gardens, the giant marrying his power to a reputation for mobile, aggressive ball-carrying.
Former Tonga international Soane Tonga’uiha spent seven seasons at Franklin’s Gardens, the giant marrying his power to a reputation for mobile, aggressive ball-carrying.
Rob Baxter has slotted England internationals Henry Slade and Sam Simmonds straight back into his Exeter team following the completion of the Six Nations last weekend, but there is no return for Scotland pair Stuart Hogg and Sam Skinner.